North Korea 'is not bad': Rodman

Dennis Rodman said on Monday he wants to show that North Korea isn't so bad, as he took a team of former NBA players on a trip for an exhibition game on Kim Jong Un's birthday.

The flamboyant Hall of Famer headed to the North Korean capital from Beijing with a squad of a dozen former basketball stars including Vin Baker and Cliff Robinson in what Rodman calls "basketball diplomacy," although US officials have criticised his efforts.

"It's about trying to connect two countries together in the world, to let people know that: Do you know what? Not every country in the world is that bad, especially North Korea," Rodman told AP in an interview outside his hotel before heading to the Beijing airport with the team.

Former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman gestures to the media as he arrives at the departure hall of Beijing International Capital Airport on Monday. Photo: AP

"People say so many negative things about North Korea. And I want people in the world to see it's not that bad."

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The US is at odds with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, and Rodman has been faulted for not talking about North Korea's human rights record, described as one of the world's worst by activists, the US State Department and North Korean defectors.

The defectors have repeatedly testified about the government's alleged use of indiscriminate killings, rapes, beatings and prison camps holding as many as 120,000 people deemed opponents of authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, the third generation of his family to rule.

The US players are to compete in an exhibition game against a North Korean team on Wednesday, Kim's birthday.

"Somehow we have to get along, and no matter what disagreements or what discrepancy we have in life," Rodman said.

"It's like saying: Why do we have the Olympics? When everyone one comes together in the Olympics, there's no problems. That's what I'm doing. That's all I'm doing."

AP

46 comments

North Korea may not be that bad, but Kim Jong Un definitely is.

Commenter

TKL

Date and time

January 06, 2014, 2:36PM

North Korea is a complete disaster and this is not going to change. Those in power will get torn to pieces If the country ever opens up and the people wake up to what has been going on.

Commenter

Jezz

Date and time

January 07, 2014, 7:25AM

No Dennis, North Korea isn't such a bad place when you're doted on by dear leader to further the communist propaganda and present the exact opposite image to the world of what is actually happening in that dark country. Perhaps a tour of the labour camps with your naive basketball team might change your mind. Dennis, put your money where your mouth is and swap your US citizenship for a NK one. Like Kim's unfortunate uncle Jang, you will have power and glory until Dear Leader one day decides that you're no longer useful. Then, no one will be able to help you!!

Commenter

Useful idiots

Date and time

January 07, 2014, 7:36AM

Then do us all a favour and stay there then mate......

Commenter

whitewalker

Location

ACT

Date and time

January 06, 2014, 3:14PM

+1 Yep, if he likes it so much let him move there. He can become an adopted relative of Kim Jong Un.

Commenter

PaxUs

Location

Austerelia

Date and time

January 07, 2014, 9:59AM

North Koreans are as good and/or as bad anyone else, but pandering to their criminal leadership is truly appalling. Dennis Rodman has become a tool of that leadership.

Commenter

mal duxworthy

Date and time

January 06, 2014, 3:34PM

Correction Mal, Rodman is just a tool.

Commenter

BrendanC

Date and time

January 06, 2014, 4:23PM

Rodman is a has been that has found a way to keep himself in the news, irregardless of consequence

Commenter

WatchOut

Date and time

January 06, 2014, 4:31PM

Yes it is debatable what's good/bad especially places like Zimbabwe/North Korea/Syria etc etc, and i certainly don't want to born there!